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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Harpoon


HARPOON', noun [Gr. to seize with the claws; probably Latin rapio, by transposition of letters.]

A harping-iron; a spear or javelin, used to strike whales for killing them. It consists of a long shank, with a broad flat triangular head, sharpened at both edges for penetrating the whale with facility. It is generally thrown by hand.

HARPOON', verb transitive To strike, catch or kill with a harpoon

The beluga is usually caught in nets, but is sometimes harpooned.